BERLINALE 2019, DAY 7, 'HOLY BEATS': THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian once again has the opportunity to meet with world star Géraldine Chaplin! It was a special honour for me to do this interview with the daughter of the immortal CHARLIE CHAPLIN. GERALDINE CHAPLIN of course, was also one of the stars of DAVID LEAN`S 70mm masterpiece 'DOCTOR ZHIVAGO' (1965)! She is such a lovely, warm-hearted woman! As CHARLIE CHAPLIN always said: 'A Day without smile, is a lost day!' (Grand Hyatt Berlin, February 13, 2019, photo by Catalina Ene Onea for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

BERLINALE 2019, Day 7, Lecture at Mastercard Lounge: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets Vietnamese German actress MINH-KHAI PHAN THI ('RETTE DEINE HAUT', 2001) again. The star of the tv show 'LET`S DANCE`(2015, she reached place 2) read from her book 'ZU HAUSE SEIN - MEIN LEBEN IN DEUTSCHLAND UND VIETNAM' (2007) about her Vietnamese roots and THE SPIRIT missed Vietnam more. I have to visit this beautiful country soon as possible again! (Zoo Palast, February 13, 2019, photo by Marie Staggat for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com) - with Alles Panther.

BERLINALE 2019, DAY 3, 'WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES': THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets director MAKOTO NAGAHISA and the young leading actor KEITA NINOMYA. The opening film of the selection Generation 14plus, is a masterpiece with a unique visual style! It is the Japanese children's movie version of '2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY'! See here also translator Ruri Sarah Kumazawa and THE SPIRIT. Well, we are all little Zombies! (Berlinale Palast, February 9, 2019, three photos by Ralph Görbitz with Sony Alpha for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlin, Axica Congress Center, January 30th, 2019: One of the best days of my life! After the press conference of the amazing Hollywood new manga live action blockbuster 'ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL', I had the opportunity to interview the charming leading actress, Rosa Salazar ('MACE RUNNER','BIRD BOX'), cult director Robert Rodriguez ('FROM DUSK TILL DAWN', 'SIN CITY'), the legendary producer John Landau ('TITANIC', 'AVATAR') and double Oscar winner CHRISTOPH WALTZ ('INGLORIOUS BASTERDS', 'DJANGO UNCHAINED'). Among other things, I asked Robert if there could be a third part of 'Sin City'. And he said: 'Yes!' I discussed with ROSA whether her she thought her Cyborg title character, (invented by YUKITO KISHORI in 1991), was ahead of her time and whether the $ 200 million film adaptation, to be released on February 14th in 3D and 2D, could also be seen as a feminist statement. Later that afternoon, we met again in the Hotel Adlon and ROSA hugged me warmly as we said farewell. Rosa, you sweetened my day beautifully, see you again soon.

Group pic after the lecture with producer John Landau and Robert Rodriguez in the center of the first row. Right next: Johannes Wolters (indac.org), THE SPIRIT & Rob Waters. Photo: (c) FOX / Sebastian Gabsch

smago! Award 2019: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets the one and only HEINO! The legendary pop singer, born on December 13, 1938 as HANS GEORG KRAMM in Dusseldorf, talked with me about the city on the Rhine, where we both lived long - and of course his career. His unforgettable adventurer songs like ´Karamba, Karacho, ein Whisky (in Rio de Janeiro)!´, ´Blau blüht der Enzian"´ or "´Mohikana Shalali´ have become a cult - as he himself has become a cult figure. The man is legend and totally likeable! (Mercure Hotel MOA - Berlin, January 13, 2019, photo: Christoph Voy for Spirit - A Smile in the Storm www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

smago! Award 2019: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets KLUBBB3 singer, TV presenter and new "Das Traumschiff" captain FLORIAN SILBEREISEN again. They did not talk about Flori's ex-girlfriend HELENE FISCHER, but how fast time passes: The first time they met in 2006 at the musical world premiere of Tanz der Vampire´ (´Dance of the Vampires´) in the Theater des Westens as THE SPIRIT did an exclusive interview with world famous director Roman Polanski (Mercure Hotel MOA, Berlin, January 13, 2019, photo: Christoph Voy for Spirit - A Smile in the Storm www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Hayastan and "Young Europe" in Berlin: THE SPIRIT meets Armenian President Armen Sarkissian!

Berlin, November 28, 2018: Hayastan in Berlin 2018: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets Armenian President Armen Sarkissian for an exclusive interview. It was a honour for me to talk with Armen Sarkissian - physicist, computer scientist and politician - about the Turkish genocide of the Armenians, the recognition by the Federal Republic of Germany of the genocide as historical fact and the future of the 'Young Europe'!
He served as Prime Minister of Armenia from 4 November 1996 to 20 March 1997 and before assuming the Presidency on 9 April 2018, was the country's (longest-serving) ambassador in London (from1998).
One of the co-creators of the Tetris-Wordtris game, he is a fascinating, open minded man! (Bertelsmann Stiftung, photo by Adrian Jankowski for Spirit - A Smile in the Storm www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

A perfect day for THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, Ella Quach and Felix Hairapetian: Firstly, in the morning, at the Astor Film Lounge, (my favourite cinema), we watched the new Agatha Christie thriller ´CROOKED HOUSE´ with Glenn Close and Terence Stamp. Then we had lunch in a nice Vietnamese restaurant, followed by a photo session and long spell on the Lützow bank. Then in the early evening at the Arsenal Cinema, we enjoyed ´FEAR AND DESIRE´ (1953), Stanley Kubrick's first film. After that, we visited in the sports bar "Aunt Käthe" (´Tante Käthe´), to watch the soccer game with VfB Stuttgart - Eintracht Frankfurt. Our team Eintracht deservedly won 3: 0! To finish off a fabulous day, we played several games of table football with our new friend Guntram. Everywhere we went, Felix was the star of the evening, cuddled and kissed by everyone! Not bad for a day, right?

Berlin, October 11 - 14, 2018: It was a particularly beautiful Venus in a relaxed atmosphere with a stylish award ceremony at the Ellington Hotel, good interviews and lots of fun! See some photo impressions!www.venus-berlin.com

Berlin, Hackescher Markt 4, October 17, 2018: ´Deutschland 86´ Store Opening: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets the legendary JOHNNY LOGAN. The Australian-born Irish singer and composer is renowned for being the only performer to have won the Eurovision Song Contest twice, in 1980 (´What´s Another Year´) and 1987 (´Hold Me Now´). He also composed Linda Martin´s 1992 winning song ´Why Me?'
Johnny Logan (born Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard on May 13, 1954 in Frankston City) performed for over an hour on stage at the ´Deutschland 86´pop up store and in particular, I loved his fantastic rock ´n´roll song ´In the House of Lucille´- I couldn't help but dance away. The first time we met, was in Emden in 2001, he was part of the Northern German TV show ´Aktuelle Schaubude´ and I'd been invited to attend by the International Film Festival. Johnny is a warm-hearted, witty guy and of course a fantastic singer. The consummate performer, he can do it all - pop, rock, chanson, Irish folk and he seems to be the reincarnation of Elvis Presley!

Berlin, Axica Kongress- und Tagungszentrum, September 13, 2018: Dame Joanna Lumley is a living legend! The wonderful actress (´ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE´, ´THE NEW AVENGERS´, 'THE WOLF OF WALL STREET´), TV presenter ('ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS´) and model received the Lifetime Achievement Rose d'Or. In a fascinating interview we discussed her career in film and television and her passion for human and animal rights. This beautiful, woman at 72 years is still sexy, vibrant and fun to be with.

The ´100 YEARS ARTUR BRAUNER´ gala: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian & world star Klaus MNaria Brandauer (Golden Globe 1986 as Best supporting actor for ´Out of Africa´, also amazing in ´Mephisto´, ´Never Say Never Again´ and ´Oberst Redl´). They´ve know each other since 1994 and recorded many interviews. In 2003, they even recorded the radio play 'Königshaut´('Kingshaw'), which was released on two CDs (Hoerbuch Hamburg).THE SPIRIT considers Brandauer, after Oskar Werner, to be the best Austrian actor of all time on stage and in the film! The Spirit is honored that Klaus Maria Brandauer would like to write the foreword to his Oskar Werner biography. (Berlin - Zoo Palast, September 8, 2018, photo by Sengebusch for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

At the Court of King Artur: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets actor legend Mario Adorf (´NACHTS WENN DER TEUFEL KAM´, ´WINNETOU 1´, ´DIE BLECHTROMMEL´/´THE TIN DRUM´) on his 88th birthday (!) at the After Show Party of the ´100 Years ARTUR BRAUNER´ gala . The two got to know each other during the filming of ´ROSA ROTH - DER TAG WIRD KOMMEN´ in 2006. Mario played an arms dealer, Spirit Hairapetian shadowed him as a BKA man. Happy birthday, Mario! You look 25 years younger! (Berlin, September 8, 2018, photo: Dr. Strangelove for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlin - Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen, August 14th, 2018: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian met reporter Esther Sedlaczek and former tv presenter Edda Schönherz, the contemporary witness and victim respectively of the GDR state security service, to discuss radical ideologies on the set of the new documentary Total Control - Surviving Evil (Total Control - Im Bann der Seelenfänger, Release: November 2018) by the German TV channel A&E. (Photos by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for A&E).

The Last Tycoon: THE SPIRIT congratulates Artur Brauner on his 100th birthday!

Berlin - Grunewald, August 1, 2018: 100! THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian congratulates the legendary film producer Artur "Atze" Brauner (Morituri, Der Tiger von Eschnapur, Das indische Grabmal, Der brave Soldat Schwejk, Mensch und Bestie, Old Shatterhand, Der Schut, Kampf um Rom, Vampyros Lesbos, The Call of the Wild, Hanussen, Hitlerjunge Salomon, Der letzte Zug). Artur lost 49 family members at the hands of the Nazis during the Third Reich, but he survived and established his production company CCC Film(kunst) in Germany in 1946. I love this guy and his family. When I visited him at his villa, he played Armenian music for me. We talked about his career, Karl May, actor greats, the Holocaust and the genocide of the Armenians. Artur said that I would look like the matinée idol Henri Vidal (1919-1959). Thank you for the compliment, "Atze"! Read my newspaper interview with him in Die Zeit:

Berlinale 2018, Day 3: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian meets Europe's greatest living actress, Isabelle Huppert ('ROSEBUD', 'HEAVEN'S GATE', 'DIE KLAVIERSPIERLERIN', 'ELLE'), at the press conference for her new Berlinale competition film 'EVA'. The SPIRIT, having first interviewed her in 2011, talked with her this time, about the art of being sensual without actual nudity. (Grand Hyatt Berlin, February 17, 2018, photo by SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM). www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlinale 2018, Day 6: THE SPIRIT, aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets beautiful Filipino actress Shaina Magdayao ('HAPPY HEARTS' , 'DUKOT' ) at the press conference for the competition film 'ANG PANAHON NG HALIMAW' ('SEASONS OF THE DEVIL' , directed by Lav Diaz). During their discussions about the shooting on location in Malaysia, THE SPIRIT complimented her on her wonderful dress, which she appreciated! (Grand Hyatt Berlin, February 20, 2018, photo by SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlinale 2018, Day 3: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian meets Hollywood star Rupert Everett ('ANOTHER COUNTRY', 'DANCE WITH A STRANGER' , 'THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS', 'MY BEST FRIEND´S WEDDING', 'Tichi Don') at the press conference for the British German Berlinale Special 'THE HAPPY PRINCE'. 'THE HAPPY PRINCE' is Rupert's directorial debut, a wonderful film about the last days of Oscar Wilde. Since THE SPIRIT first saw 'GLI OCCHIALI D'ORO' (Italy/France 1987, directed by Guiliano Montaldo), he's wanted to meet Rupert and has now finally had the opportunity to talk with him about one of their favourite writers. (Grand Hyatt Berlin, February 17, 2018, photo by SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM). www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlinale 2018, Day 2: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian, meets the legendary Swiss actor Bruno Ganz ('THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL', 'NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE', 'DER UNTERGANG'), at the premier of the restored version of 'WINGS OF DESIRE' ('DER HIMMEL ÜBER BERLIN', West Germany/France 1987, directed by Wim Wenders). Bruno, now 76 years old, was one of the three angels in the film. The SPIRIT and Bruno Ganz did their first interview together in 1998 and were both very happy to meet up again at the after show party, talking at length of their common role model Oskar Werner. (Berlin, Cinema International, February 16/17, 2018, photo by SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM). www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlinale 2018, Day 7: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian meets the lovely Chinese director Zhu Kaiqi at Asian Brilliant Stars Award Ceremony.
Earlier, at the press conference, he asked the guest of honour, German actor Moritz Bleibtreu, if he has a penchant for Asian films. Moritz wittily responded: "I have a penchant for good films in general!" THE SPIRIT also sat with one of his favourite film directors, panelist Kim Ki-duk ('BIN-JIP', 'PIETA'), although THE SPIRIT did say he felt Kim Ki-Duk's castration fantasy 'MOEBIUS' (2013) was "complete sick". (Berlin, Meistersaal, February 21, 2018, photo by SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

Berlinale 2018 - Day 1: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian at the 'ISLE OF DOGS' conference. Where I asked director Wes Anderson about his all time favorite dog movies and also had the opportunity of talking with the actors Bill Murray and Jeff Goldblum & Co about their own dogs and Felix, my Siberian wolf dog husky mix. (Grand Hyatt Berlin, February 15, 2018, screenshot by Hiroko Ichimura for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM). www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com)

ROLF ZACHER (March 28, 1941 in Berlin - February 3, 2018 in Hamburg) - Marc Spirit Hairapetian´s SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com, the magazine for film, theatre, music, literature & audio drama, is very sad to announce that the actor and musician Rolf Zacher ("Es", "The Defector", Morgens um Sieben ist die Welt noch in Ordnung", "Okay S.I.R.", "Berlin Alexanderplatz", "Tatort", "Jud Süss - Film ohne Gewissen"; "Latest Hits", "Danebenleben") has passed away at the age of 76. We met first in 2010 at the International Film Festival in Berlin. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. He always called me THE SPIRIT or "The Armenian". Rolf was a great artist and a warm-hearted, intelligent human being. I will miss his phone calls and his friendship enormously.

Berlin, January 31, 2018: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian met the now 89-year-old Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser, who has made it his life´s work travelling the world visiting schools, talking with the children about his horrendous experiences in the concentration camp. Ben Lesser and THE SPIRIT watched the powerful documentary "Die Befreier - The Liberators" (HISTORY, February 11, 2018, 2.40 PM), then visited the Anne Frank Center as well as the Museum blind workshop Otto Weidt in Berlin, after which Ben Lesser kindly granted me an extensive interview for my magazine SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com. For me Ben Lesser is a true hero! (January 31, 2017, photo by PR/HISTORY/Getty/Reuter)

FRANCE GALL (born: Isabelle Geneviève Marie Anne Gall; October 9, 1947 in Paris - January 7, 2018 in Neuilly-sur-Seine) - Marc Spirit Hairapetian´s SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com, the magazine for film, theatre, music, literature & audio drama, is very sad to announce that my all time favorite French singer FRANCE GALL ("Ella, alle l´a") has passed away after a battle with cancer, she was only 70 years of age. In 1965 she won the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson for Luxembourg with "Poupée de cire, poupée de son". Gorgeous France was also very successful with songs in German ("A Banda - Zwei Apfelsinen im Haar", "Der Computer Nummer 3", "Hippie Hippie", "Wassermann und Fisch"). Although her music was so very cheerful, sadly her life was marred by tragedy: her husband, Michel Berger, died at just 44 years from a heart attack. Her daughter Pauline suffered from cystic fibrosis and only lived until she was 19 years old. France first fell ill with breast cancer in 1993, now the golden angel of the chanson has passed on to the white paradise. I am really shocked. It is a big loss to me personally, quite apart from the fact that the whole music world is in mourning.

Berlin, October 12 - 15, 2017: The erotic and lifestyle trade fair Venus has been in existence for 21 years. Reason enough for the restless SPIRIT to celebrate with stars and starlets. Enjoy our photo gallery!

He was a guy - a whole man! THE SPIRIT says: Farewell, my friend Gunter Gabriel!

Hannover, June 22, 2017: Country star Gunter Gabriel (born Günther Caspelherr, June 11, 1942, Bünde/Westfalen - June 22, 2017, Hannover; "Er ist ein Kerl - Er fährt 'nen 30-Tonner-Diesel" - "He´s a guy - He drives a 30 tons diesel", "Hey Boss, ich brauch mehr Geld" - "Hey Boss, I Need More Money", Title role in the Musical "Hello, I´m Johnny Cash") was not just a fantastic singer, composer and producer. He was also a wonderful human being. In 2015 we - Gunter and me, The Spirit aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian - started to be good friends and met often. He always invited me for dinner even though I also wanted to pay my share, but he never accepted that. I miss you a lot, Gunter!

Berlin, April 5, 2017: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Spirit Hairapetian meets wonderful actress ESTHER SCHWEINS on set during the shooting of the new documentary series 'Guardians of Heritage' (working title) by German TV channel HISTORY at Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum). She talks here with Syrian refugees which became Museum tour guides! THE SPIRIT asked her what she would like to play in the future and she told him that she wants to be "Lawrence of Arabia" because she admires Peter O´Toole (1932 - 2013) so much. Read soon the interview - check out film, theatre, music, literature and audio drama magazine SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM (SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM) www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de (photos by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for HISTORY Germany)!

German TV release: December 25/27/29, 2016 (RTL). Check out the exclusive interview with Philipp Stölzl and the film review! Merry christmas and a happy new year to all SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM readers & Winnetou admirers!

Washington, November 9, 2016: DONALD Duck is the winner! The first comic character is US President...
He should engage THE SPIRIT as his press spokesman because he absolutely needs a change of his image!

Berlin, August 29, 2016: THE Spirit Hairapetian met leading German actor Moritz Bleibtreu again. They talked about his new film "The Cold Heart" ("Das kalte Herz", German cinema release: October 20, 2016), his mother Monica Bleibtreu (1944 - 2009) and Moritz´s idol Oskar Werner (1922 - 1984). Spirit Hairapetian is a good friend of Moritz´s stepfather, the actor and writer Wolfgang Schumacher aka Malte Thorsten ("Love is Only A Word"). All pictures taken in Soho House. Coming soon - the interview in SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM (SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM)!Read now the review "The Cold Heart" ("Das kalte Herz")Read now the interview with Moritz Bleibtreu

Berlin, June 28th, 2016: In boundless admiration, THE SPIRIT remembers Götz George (July 23, 1938 - June 19, 2016, "Kirmes", "Der Schatz im Silbersee", "Mensch und Bestie", "11 Uhr 20", "Diamantendetektiv Dick Donald", "Aus einem deutschen Leben", Tatort", "Der Totmacher", "Schimanski"). We made two long interviews together in 1996 and 2006 and met a few times. The legendary actor was an intelligent, sensitive and warm-hearted person. Götz was also a great admirer of actor genius Oskar Werner (1922 - 1984). Take a look at our picture from March 2, 2006 (Berlin, photo by Moritz Thau for SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com). The black-and-white image shows the young Götz George (Archive Hairapetian). And please read my Götz George tribute in two parts on occasion of his 65th birthday in 2003 for Spiegel Online:www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/goetz-george-zum-65-geburtstag-ein-richtiger-kaventsmann-a-258255.html

Grand Hotel Hyatt Berlin, April 14, 2016: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian meets synthie pop genius Jean-Michel Jarre ("Oxygene", "Equinoxe") again. He talked with the world famous musician about his new album "Electronica Vol. 2 - The Heart of Noise" and his father, the film composer, Maurice Jarre (1924 - 2009, "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago"), who was a close friend of THE SPIRIT. A wonderful and touching evening! Marc´s gift for Jean-Michel was the SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM (Spirit - A Smile in the Storm) issue 17 from 1993: front cover Oskar Werner, back cover Maurice Jarre! Read now the exclusive interview with Jean Michel about his cooperation with whistleblower Edward Snowden. Soon the second part about the father-son relationship of the two great Jarre´s and JJM´s friendship with science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke ("2001: A Space Odyssey") will follow.

Los Angeles/Hollywood/Cologne, March 31, 2016 Marc Spirit Hairapetian´s SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM
www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de / www.spirit-fanzine.de / www.spirit-fanzine.com, The Magazine for Film, Theatre, Music, Literature & Audio Drama, proudly presents: Today THE SPIRIT is "on air". Jana Fischer (WDR 2) did an interview with Marc Hairapetian. He speaks about the 35th anniversary of the Golden Raspberry Awards and the worst films of all time! Listen to the radio or the stream and enjoy! It is really funny!

Berlin, March 8, 2016: SPIRIT HAIRapetian meets the Broadway Musical Company at Admiralspalast. A legendary evening with producer Frank Serr and the cast Brett Travis (Berger), Glen North (Claude), Jackie Nguyen (Angela) & Elizabeth Wyld (Chrissie). LET THE SUNSHINE IN AT THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF AQUARIUS! THE SPIRIT is Aquarius. It is his zodiac sign, born February 6! Read now the "Hair" review "Dream Of A Better World" by THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian: Hair 2016

Berlin, January 26, 2016: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian meets the legendary film director Quentin Tarantino - winner of two Academy Awards (Best Original Screenplays of "Pulp Fiction" and "Django Unchained") - again. After the press conference at The Ritz-Carlton we did an interview together and celebrated the German premier of his new masterpiece "The Hateful 8" at Zoo Palast Berlin. Last but not least we had also fun at the after show party that was placed in Minnie´s Haberdashery!

It was great to talk also to "The Hateful 8" actress Jennifer Jason Leigh. She is nominated for an Academy Award this year! (The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, January 2016, photo by Markus Tschiedert for SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM www.spirit-fanzine.de)

THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian meets actor and talk show host Thomas "Tommi" Ohrner, the one and only "Timm Thaler" ("Tim Tyler: The Boy Who Lost His Laugh"). The leading actor of the legendary television series from 1979 (based on the novel by James Krüss) is special guest of the docusoap "Käpt´n Kasi - Auf hoher Spree" (TV release of his episode: December 14, 2015/German TV channel HISTORY) and looks in the age of 50 still youthful. The former pop singer has also a cameo appearance in the remake of "Timm Thaler" (directed by Andreas Dresen, starring Arved Friese as Timm, cinema release: December 22, 2016). Read soon the exclusive SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM interview with Thomas Ohrner about his childhood and adult career.

Second meeting at preview of HISTORY docusoap "Käpt´n Kasi - Auf hoher Spree" aboard a ship called 'MS Rhein' near Berlin's Oberbaumbruecke on November 3, 2015 in Berlin (photo by PR/HISTORY/Getty/Bilan)

Thomas Ohrner as Timm Thaler and Horst Frank as the modern devil Baron de Lefouet (taken from the original soundtrack cover)

THE SPIRIT´s as special guests of film festival "Children of Hayastan"

Cologne, November 10th, 2015: Marc "Spirit" and Felix Hairapetian - special guests of Film Festival "Children of Hayastan - Armenian Films 1915 - 2015". On the opening night Marc "Spirit" Hairapetian talked at Filmclub 813 about his famous director friend Elia Kazan and the masterpiece "America, America" (1963) - the first Hollywood film about the Armenian Genocide. He gave also an radio interview to WDR 3 Scala.

Rome, September 15th, 2015: Marc "Spirit" Hairapetian met the world famous film composer again! Maestro Ennio Morricone ("Once Upon a Time in the West", "The Sicilian Clan", The Mission") invited the founder and editor of SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM / SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM in his house - better whe should say PALAZZO! - for a long interview. They talked about his new Italo Western score for Quentin Tarantino´s "The Hateful Eight" and - of course - the film history. An unforgettable day! Mille gracie, Maestro! Read now the interview in newspapers Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung and Hairapetian´s film and music magazine SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM / SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM. Check out first Hairapetian´s interview with Maestro Morricone from December 2013: www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/ennio-morricone-im-interview-a-940284.html and Interview mit Filmmusik-Legende Ennio Morricone)

Buddy Holly goes Psycho: Team Screening of "True Love Ways" with THE SPIRIT

Berlin, May 13th, 2014: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian was acting as Talkmaster in Mathieu Seiler's new masterpiece "true Love Ways". We celebrated the Team screening of the erotic thriller at cinema Filmkunst 66. "True Love Ways" will be also shown at he Film Market in Cannes! (May 13th, 2014, photos by Alex Adler Eventphotography for www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de)

In memoriam Maximilian Schell (December 8, 1930 - February 1, 2014): THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian met the world star and Academy Award winner ("Judgment at Nuremberg", 1962) first time in 2006 at International Film Festival Emden. Maximilian talked like a father to THE SPIRIT. His all time favorite role was Hamlet and he will be Hamlet forever! Read his last interview. Thank you for all, Max! (photos: Schlenker/Hairapetian/Archive Hairapetian for SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im-sturm.de), all copyrights by Marc Hairapetian/Spirit - Ein Lächeln im Sturm 2006 - 2014)

Thank you for "Lawrence of Arabia", "Becket" "Lord Jim", "What's New, Pussycat?", "The Night of the Generals", "Venus" and all your other wonderful films. You and Oskar Werner are the greatest actors of all time. We will always love and admire you.

Yerevan/Armenia, July 7th - 14th, 2013: Nothing is sadder than having great expectations about something that then are bitterly disappointed. On the other hand nothing is more magical than your expectations being exceeded like with my invitation as FIPRESCI jury member of this year 10th anniversary of Golden Apricot - Yerevan International Film Festival. For me it was not "just" a honorable cineaste's job, it was also the discovery of my father's home country, which, like me, he had never been visiting. Maybe you will ask: How is this possible? Armenia in his original size was so big, just like the Federal Republic of Germany is now. After the Turkish genocide on the Armenian people in 1915 - 1918 Armenians were going to the Diaspora to live in other countries all over the word. My father Ardavas (1940 - 2006) was born in Täbriz/Iran. Later he lived in Teheran. In the swinging sixties he came to Germany as a student. He married my mother Mago. As one of the founders of the Armenian Society in Frankfurt am Main he was a close friend of the world famous composer Aram Chatschaturjan. Suffice to say that he taught me a lot about Armenian history and culture - and also to love cinema! It was always our dream to visit the independent Armenian Republic - which has been existing since 1991 - and now this dream has come true for me.
From the first moment I was entering Yerevan I felt to be "at home". Everybody was friendly and open - the legendary Armenian hospitality made everything easy for me. As my jury collegue György Kárpáti wrote in his introduction about Golden Apricot - "Yerevan International Film Festival was brighter than ever". I can say honestly and not just with "half Armenian eyes" that this 10th anniversary had a high level standard - so that we can compare it with A class International Film Festivals like Cannes, Venice or Berlin, the city where I have lived since September 1989. Most of the invited directors, actors, producers, jury members and other guests were staying in the five star Royal Tulip Grand Hotel close to the Main Festival Cinema Moscow. We all lived there like Kings. It was the center and the heart of the Festival with many events, press cocktails, conferences and interviews, like those I could do with Armenian-French actor and director Serge Avedikian (who brought his wonderful new film about genius director "Paradzanow" to Golden Apricot), Armenian-Canadian director and Festival Honorary Chairman Atom Egoyan ("The Sweet Hereafter", "Ararat") or Hungarian director and President of the Main Jury István Szabó ("Mephisto", "Colonel Redl").
The quality of the film programme and competition was also superb. There was only one problem in the first days: Sometimes the screenings in the wonderful and stylish Cinema Moscow were a little dark - especially of film classic "Mephisto" (1981). But very quickly, the Festival could find a solution for it. With my fellow FIPRESCI jury members Anna Erznkyan and György Kárpáti I could see many good films from different countries like Armenia, Russia, Austria or Turkey, but as we say in Germany "The best always comes in the end" - the Iranian Film "The Last Winter" directed by Salem Salavati overwhelmed us in story telling and the artistic use of digital video. So it was easy for us to make a decision on the award winner.
To talk about my personal impressions of this trip to Armenia and Golden Apricot - every day had new highlights for me: It was really like in a fairy tale to meet the most famous Armenian of all time, the singer, actor and honorary guest Charles Aznavour, for an exclusive interview in his own (!) Charles Aznavour Museum on a hill where you have an amazing view of the Armenian capital Yerevan! With his 89 years Charles is still clear in his mind and a very charming interview partner. I will also never forget the concert in the House Museum of Aram Chatschaturjan: I had tears of joy in my eyes when I listened to the melodies of the ballet music "Spartacus" or "Gayaneh" which were played by a piano, violin and cello trio. In the end the director and pianist Armine Grigoryan asked me to send a picture of Aram Khatchaturian and my father to hang it in the museum! It was wonderful to have excursions to Sardarapat where the Armenian army once stopped the Turkish attack, Lake Sevan where István Szabó and me both felt that God was around us and Etschmiadzin where I had a nice conversation with the Catholicos, the religious leader of the first Christian nation: Armenia (301 AD). It was one of the most touching moments in my life when the audience was applauding at the Award Ceremony in the Yerevan Opera House in memory of my father Ardavas. My personal speech and of course also the motivation to give the FIPRESCI award to "The Last Winter" were also shown on Armenian TV.
The Film Festival Gala Dinners are not to compare with any Gala Dinner in Germany - and I am invited often in Berlin: Every night we were entering another place of extraordinary beauty between Occident and Orient: Among the Dinners we - charismatic Golden Apricot Festival General Director Harutyun Khachatryan, Austrian filmmaker Ulrich Seidl, US director Godfrey Reggio, jury colleagues, the pretty girls of Yerevan and me - all dancing together in Armenian or Georgian Style to live music. The lust for life is virulent in Armenia even if this country also has its problems with their politics, just like everywhere, and there is a discrepancy between rich and poor people - but these poor people give all they have to accommodate the guests and this is maybe the biggest gift you can make to a stranger, that he feels "at home" in Armenia! Thanks a lot for the invitation, Golden Apricot! Yes kesi shat kesirem, Voske Tsiran! Yes kesi shat kesirem, Hayastan! (I love you, Golden Apricot! I love you, Armenia!)
(Marc Hairapetian, July 28th, 2013)

Marc Hairapetian
was born in 1968 in Frankfurt am Main. His Armenian father, Ardavaz Hairapetian, was the founder of the Armenian Society in Marc's birthplace. At the age of 16 Hairapetian founded and became the editor of Spirit - Ein Lächeln Im Sturm (Spirit - A Smile in the Storm) www.spirit-fanzine.de, the magazine for film, theatre, music, literature and audio drama. Hairapetian has often been a jury member for German film festivals and has worked for newspapers and magazines in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the USA. He has conducted exclusive interviews with world-known personalities and is the co-writer of the "Oskar Werner - Das Filmbuch" biography (Vienna 2002). Since 2011, Hairapetian has been a board member of Kinomuseum Berlin (Cinema Museum Berlin) and his film screenings of 70mm and 35mm prints of film classics are well known in Germany. Since 1996, Hairapetian has worked as an actor for television and cinema. His new film, the erotic thriller "True Love Ways" (directed by Mathieu Seiler), will
come to Berlin IFF in 2014. He is proud to have Armenian roots - and as William Saroyan says, his "heart is in the highlands" of Armenia!

"Timmy" was the star of the evening. See him here on stage with THE SPIRIT and Marc Hairapetian and host Nana Spier on stage. Here is "Timmy" playing with the high heels of Nana (April 27th, 2013, photo by Sylvio Schwanitz for SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM www.spirit-fanzine.de)

Beirut Calling, April 17th, 2013: THE SPIRIT aka Marc Hairapetian and his Siberian Wolf Dog Husky Mix Felix met singer Yasmine Hamdan. She was travelling from Paris to Berlin for giving an interview. Yasmine is presenting her first solo album "Ya Nass" ("Hey People!") which is full of amazing erotic and politcal songs with Arabic ("Beirut"), RnB ("Deny") and electronic (!) Bollywood elements ("Samar") on stage in two showcases in Germany (tba - Hamburg, June 13th, 2013 and Grüner Salon of Volksbühne, June 15th, 2013). She is also performing in the new vampire film of Jim Jarmush ("Only Lovers Left Alive"). Her credo is: "It is not my decision - it is my desire!"

Berlin, February 8th/9th, 2013: SPIRIT - EIN LÄCHELN IM STURM (SPIRIT - A SMILE IN THE STORM) founder and editor Marc Hairapetian met one of the most popular and best actors of Far East at Ritz Carlton Hotel: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (born 1962 in Hong Kong, starring in "Chungking Express", "Hero", "2046")) was in the mood for interview and talked about the friendship with director Wong Kar-Wai. They showed together at International Film Festival Berlin (Berlinale) their new martial arts film "The Grandmaster". Tony who was wonderful in romantic classic "In the Mood for Love" (2000) is very interested in German pop music and asked THE SPIRIT about a list of his favorite bands. Done! One day later THE SPIRIT met Australian actor Hugh Jackman ("X-Men", "The Fountain") for third time and US actress Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries", "The Dark Knight Rises") for first time. Both Hollywood stars were presenting the film musical adaption of Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". Anne was very happy about their short hair cut in style of Audrey Hepburn: "I like it even it is now so cold here in Germany!" Read soon exclusive interviews at www.spirit-fanzine.de!

Kisses from Planet Love: THE SPIRIT with Jelena Jensen and Ron Jeremy at Venus 2012

Berlin, October 18th, 2012: „Emmanuelle“ star Sylvia Kristel died on the day of Venus opening but the show had to go on. Living legend Ron Jeremy is not just the biggest male erotic star - he was also working with Robert De Niro and director John Frankenheimer („Ronin“, 1998) or Keira Knightley and Mickey Rourke („Domino“, 2005). Now he got the Venus Lifetime Achievement Award. THE SPIRIT celebrated with him and the actresses Jelena Jensen, Jana Bach and Asia De Ville. One day later Ron gave THE SPIRIT a long interview and talked about why he loves Stanley Kubrick but hates his last film „Eyes Wide Shut“ (1999). And he was remembering the fantastic actor Laurence Harvey („Room of the Top“, „The Manchurian Candidate“, „Of Human Bondage“) who died 1973 with 45 years on cancer. John Frankenheimer (1930 - 2002) told Ron that Larry Harvey „was maybe the first AIDS victim in the USA“. Read soon exclusive interview with Ron Jeremy here at www.spirit-fanzine.de! And now enjoy our picture gallery!